The Indianapolis Colts have a training camp battle at cornerback between Brandon Facyson and Isaiah Rodgers and both are performing.
Entering training camp for the Indianapolis Colts, many marked the cornerback two position as a battle to watch. With Rock Ya-Sin traded away and Stephon Gilmore locking up the top corner spot, the other starting cornerback position would come down to Brandon Facyson and Isaiah Rodgers.
Both Rodgers and Facyson are relatively inexperienced as starters, but Brandon Facyson is the more experienced one. He’s entering his fifth season in the NFL and has played in 56 games, starting just 13. Rodgers, however, is entering his third season and has started just one of 30 total games played.
Despite both’s inexperience as starters, the Colts were confident that one of them was ready to step up and be a full-time starter, if not both. So far through camp, both players have been showing that they are ready.
Run. Jump. Intercept. 🔁 pic.twitter.com/UNOxLFon36
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 1, 2022
Brandon Facyson and Isaiah Rodgers will be a tough battle
To many’s surprise, Facyson opened camp taking starter reps. While it is a battle, some assumed that Rodgers would start with the 1’s because of his experience in Indy. However, Facyson is the elder of the two and has been playing in Gus Bradley’s system his entire career.
That experience, along with his nine starts last season, may give him the edge in the cornerback battle. However, Rodgers has been making it clear that he deserves a shot as well. In a segment with NFL Network, Larra Overton reported, “Isaiah Rodgers, he’s really proving to be a force for the defense.”
Rodgers has had his moments recording interceptions and breaking up passes, showing that he is ready to be a starting corner in this league. However, Facyson has been doing the same. This is a battle that will likely last throughout camp and may take some preseason games to figure out a winner.
Ultimately, this is the kind of battle that benefits the Colts. Having depth at corner is one of the most important things in today’s NFL. With all of the loaded passing offenses, Rodgers and Facyson will both see plenty of time. However, only one of them will win the job as the official starter.
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